The Detroit Red Wings have bolstered their roster by signing right-winger Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $4.75 million. Tarasenko, a Stanley Cup champion with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and most recently with the Florida Panthers, joins the Red Wings after contributing 23 goals and 32 assists in 76 games for the Panthers last season, helping them secure their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

The acquisition of Tarasenko marks a significant move for the Red Wings, who had been relatively quiet in free agency prior to this signing. The team also made room for Tarasenko by trading Robby Fabbri to the Anaheim Ducks along with a conditional fourth-round draft pick in exchange for 22-year-old goaltender Gage Alexander, shedding $4 million in salary cap space. This leaves the Red Wings with just over $20 million in cap space to re-sign restricted free agents Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, among others.

General Manager Steve Yzerman expressed enthusiasm about adding Tarasenko to the team, highlighting his scoring ability and physical presence, which Yzerman believes will complement the Red Wings’ forward group. Tarasenko’s experience and playoff success are expected to bring leadership and playoff-style hockey acumen to the team, particularly beneficial as the Red Wings aim to improve on their 2023-24 season, where they narrowly missed the playoffs.

Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, with Tarasenko’s addition and the anticipated extensions for Seider and Raymond, the Red Wings are poised to field a more competitive roster, potentially led by a full season from Alex DeBrincat, with aspirations of returning to Stanley Cup playoff contention.